HOUSTON (AP) — Mapagpakumbaba si Chris Paul nang pormal na ipakilala nilang Rocket.

Gayunman, iginiit ni Paul na ang nagtulak sa kanya para lisanin ang Los Angeles Clippers at ang katotohanan na mas malaki ang tsansa ng Houston na maging title contender bilang kasangga ni James Harden.

“It’s not just about me coming here to help him,” sambit ni Paul. “He’s going to help me. We’re going to help each other, and we’re going to help this team hopefully get to where we want to be at.”

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Hindi pa nakapagkampeon ang Rockets mula nang makamit ang back-to-back titles noong 1994-95, at naniniwala ang management na ang pagkakasama ni Paul ay magbibigay sa kanila nang sapat na kakayahan para sabayan ang mga tinaguriang superteam sa liga.

“This is a moment that our whole organization has been working toward to get ourselves back to a championship,” pahayag ni general manager Daryl Morey. “We really do think this is a historic pairing with Chris Paul and James Harden and the great players we have around them ... that really gives us an unbelievable chance at getting back and getting our third championship.”

Wala pang NBA title si Paul at bigo siyang akayin ang Clippers lagpas sa second round sa nakalipas na 12 season.

“Really? I didn’t know,” pabirong sagot ni Paul nang maitanong ng reporter ang naturang marka sa Cliuppers.

“I’m ultra-competitive. There’s no reason in playing unless you’re playing to win ... we have one goal here and it’s to win,” aniya.

Nanindigan naman si Houston coach Mike D’Antoni na maganda ang bukas ng Rockets kumpara sa nakalipas na season.